Photography and filming policy

Purpose and scope

We may create photographs, video or audio to record parish life, communicate our mission, report on events, provide worship to people who cannot attend, maintain archives and promote future activities. This policy applies to material created for us by clergy, staff, volunteers or commissioned professionals. Personal photography by visitors is subject to event instructions, safeguarding expectations and the rights of others.

How we tell people

Where organised photography, filming or livestreaming is planned, we aim to give clear notice before recording begins through booking information, signs, announcements or direct communication. The notice should explain the purpose, likely audience, where material may appear, who to contact and any practical way to avoid being recorded.

Consent and other lawful bases

We choose and document an appropriate lawful basis for each use. We normally seek clear consent for posed portraits, testimonials, identifying captions, promotional close-ups and uses involving children where consent is required. Some wide crowd scenes, news reporting, security footage, archives or recordings of public-facing events may rely on legitimate interests or another lawful basis after considering privacy and reasonable expectations. Attendance at worship is never treated as blanket consent to every use.

Children and adults at risk

Safeguarding takes priority. We use additional care with children and adults at risk, follow diocesan procedures, avoid identifying details that create risk, and seek the required parent, carer or participant permission. A child or young person’s wishes should be considered according to age and understanding. Images must never be taken or used in a sexualised, demeaning or exploitative way.

Opting out at an event

Tell the organiser or photographer if you do not wish to be included. Where practical we will identify camera-free seating or use another method such as a coloured badge, compose shots to exclude you, or remove an identifiable image before publication. At a livestreamed service, some areas may remain in shot; ask in advance so that a suitable place or alternative can be discussed.

Where material may appear

An event notice or consent request should identify expected channels, which may include this website, newsletters, noticeboards, printed publications, diocesan communications, press releases, livestream platforms and social media. Online publication can reach a worldwide audience and may be copied, indexed or retained by others beyond our control. We do not use an image for a materially different purpose without reviewing the lawful basis and, where needed, asking again.

Names, captions and sensitive context

We minimise names and other identifying information. We do not normally publish a child’s full name with an image. Because attendance at a religious service can reveal religious belief, close-ups and identifying captions require particular care. Prayer, pastoral care, reconciliation and safeguarding conversations must not be recorded without specific authority and an appropriate lawful basis.

Storage, access and retention

Original files are stored with proportionate security and access is limited to people who need them. We keep working files only as long as needed for the stated use. Selected images with genuine historic value may be transferred to a controlled archive. Commissioned photographers must follow written instructions on security, permitted use, delivery and deletion.

Withdrawal, objections and takedown requests

Where use relies on consent, you may withdraw it for future use by contacting parish.ourladyofwalsingham@northamptondiocese.org. Where we rely on legitimate interests, you may object and we will consider your circumstances. We will take reasonable steps to stop new publication and remove material we control when appropriate, but we may not be able to recall printed copies, recordings already distributed, third-party reposts or archival material that we are entitled or required to keep.

Copyright and personal photography

The photographer will usually own copyright unless a contract or employment arrangement says otherwise. Permission from the person shown and permission from the copyright owner are separate. Visitors should not photograph or record people who have objected, disrupt worship, record children’s activities without authority, or publish material in a way that is intrusive, misleading or unsafe.

• Copyright notice: Using images and other website material
• Privacy policy: Data protection rights and contacts